Go behind the velvet ropes of parties from Chicago and beyond with event news, fashion, celebs and videos for the see-and-be-seen set.

October 27, 2008

Kelly's Road to Recovery, Parillo Bash, Art Smith at Louis Vuitton, Service Club Ball and More!

Welcome back to Candid Candace…I’m glad you’re here!

If you weren’t at Kelly Mulqueeny’s fundraiser on Sunday, September 28th, then you really missed a terrific event for a wonderful lady. For those of you who don’t know Kelly, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after being mugged, robbed and shot and though the events leading up to her diagnosis were unfortunate, Kelly saw the attack as a blessing in disguise that helped her to find her cancer early on and take action. This event was organized by Jen Patterson, Kathy Piccone (of Gibson’s fame and a recent TCW cover girl!), Tina Weller, Carol Gipson, Voula Taakallis and Deanna Chavez and the over 500 attendees helped to raise over $45,000 to help offset Kelly’s hospital bills. It seemed like every athlete in the city donated something for her silent auction – even White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen who, upon entering Bon V Nightclub, took off his own beautiful white sport coat and signed it on the spot. This event was covered by news stations and newspapers on both the national and local levels and it was wonderful to witness such a moving experience among friends all united for a common cause: Kelly’s wellbeing. All of your friends are here for you, Kelly – as you’ve sure seen by now – and we all wish you a speedy recovery! If you missed the fundraiser but would still like to donate, visit http://b2b911.org/kellym.html. Photos: Jen Patterson, Kelly Mulqueeny and Kathy Piccone; members of the Chicago Bulls' Luvabulls; White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen; John Johnston; the one and only Peaches; Deanna Chavez; Joshua Herrendorf and Steve Wilkos. For more photos from this event, click HERE.

We’ve all attended lots of black tie parties in most of the area’s venues but I must tell you that the party that Michaela (Michelle) and Dickie Parillo threw at the Peninsula on September 19th was a sight to behold. It was her 50th, his 70th and their 20th wedding anniversary and no expense was spared. Upon entering, a sweeping curtain parted just slightly to let you peek into an enchanted wonderland of flowers so breathtaking, you felt like you’d entered paradise. The crowd was equally elegant and included Brenda and Jack McHugh, Shauna and Barry Montgomery, Rebecca and Charlie Besser, Hedwig and Bobby Golant, Gale and Jay Gottlieb, Bunky Cushing, Jim O’Brien, Shari and Jerry Michaels, Marty Gutilla, Jon and Donna Kleinman, Hana Golub, Mary Ann Murphy, Kathy Brock, Jimmy DeLeo, Tom Leahy and many more…. A highlight of the evening was a personalized performance by their dear friend, Tom Dreesen, (who was leaving the next day to host the David Letterman Show). Then a massive cake was wheeled out and Michaela and Dick were called up to make a wish. Dick’s wish was that someone would pick up the floral bill! It was a magical evening for a loving and popular couple. Photos: Dick and Michaela Parillo; Tom Dreesen; Bruce and Susan McArthur with Judge Anne Burke; Marty Gutilla and Steve Lombardo; Lynn McMahan and Bunky Cushing; Jack McHugh; Barry and Shauna Montgomery with Yale amd Pam Sage. For more photos of this event, click HERE.

Chef Art Smith brought out the stars for the Louis Vuitton party on September 18th to benefit his Common Threadsorganization. He signed over 150 cookbooks for admiring fans—and not just his signature: this man gave them a whole page!!! His earnestness is always front and center which is why he’s so beloved by ALL of us! Next stop for Art was the Arctic Circle, where he cooked reindeer stew and made wild lingonberry biscuits with the local children. I styled him for this event and was proud I was able to help him look perfect for his close-up. Photos: me, Linda Novick-O'Keefe, Toni Canada, Lynn McMahan and Sheryl Dyer; Art Smith and Jesus Salguiro.

Remember that elusive Playboy cover I was looking for? I found it on the Internet thanks to a heads-up from my Playboy friends, Shanthi and Rob Wilson! At last, here are my two foreign covers; I hope you like them as much as I do! Also, in more Playmate news, my dear friend Patti McGuire Connors has a new passion as a competitive ballroom dancer. As you can see from this photo, she’ll have a whole other group of fans soon…love you Patti! And remember, if you’re in L.A. on November 8th and 9th, don’t miss Glamourcon; Playmates Cynthia Myers and Sondra Theodore (Hef’s former girlfriend) will be there this year! Photos: foreign Playboy covers from 1986; Patti McGuire Connors and her ballroom dancing partner.

On a culinary note, if you haven’t discovered The Counter at 666 W. Diversey Pkwy., then you have missed what GQ magazine calls “one of the best burgers in America.” The Counter’s first location was in Santa Monica, California – where stars like Brad Pitt and Owen Wilson have been spotted – and the Diversey restaurant marks the concept’s first franchised location in Chicago. The Counter specializes in custom burgers and its terrific and extensive menu boasts more than 312,120 possible burger combinations. Watch out McDonald’s: The Counter offers catering services, too. I highly recommend it! Photo:The Counter's Chicago franchisees Ed Casey and Ross Farro with chef Ken Brown.

At 118 years old, the Service Club of Chicago is one of the city’s oldest philanthropic organizations and on Saturday, November 1st, they will be hosting an “Exclusively Elegant Evening” at the Palmer House, located at 17 E. Monroe. The Service Club Ball will be one of the first major events to be held here after their $300 million dollar renovation. I am a co-chair with Cynthia Burns and Sherry Lea Holson and we are thrilled and honored to be involved in this exciting event. We have silent auction offerings that will turn even the veteran party goer’s eye: Among them are four front row seats to Dennis Basso’s fashion show during Fashion Week in Bryant Park (for either February or September) and dinner afterwards with Dennis at a NY hotspot; private dinner with chef Charlie Trotter with wine selections from his own cellar; four tickets to the men’s semis and finals for the U.S. Open; dinner for four in chef Art Smith’s own home with a vintage Rolls Royce limousine and chauffeur; a VIP package for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics; a race car experience with professional driver Nick Mancuso at the members-only Autobahn Country Club and much more. I hope you can all come and join me for this worthy organization’s biggest fundraiser. Tickets are $375 and can be reserved by calling (708) 408-0395. Remember, 100 percent of the money raised goes to local Chicago charities!! Photos: me with my Service Club Ball co-chairs Sherry Lea Holson and Cynthia Burns; Service Club of Chicago logo.

Thanks so much for coming back! Stay tuned for November 3rd when my next “blogazine” will appear!

Comments

On a culinary note, if you haven’t discovered The Counter at 666 W. Diversey Pkwy., then you have missed what GQ magazine calls “one of the best burgers in America.” The Counter’s first location was in Santa Monica, California – where stars like Brad Pitt and Owen Wilson have been spotted – and the Diversey restaurant marks the concept’s first franchised location in Chicago.